Road grading and building machine.



C. ALLEN.

ROAD GRADING AND BUILDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. L6. 1915- Lfi fima Patented. Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET amveu ioz C. ALLEN.

ROAD GRADING AND BUILDINGMACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15. l9l5.

1 259,7 1 Q, Patented; Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- $1? f fflar/ m C. ALLEN.

ROAD GRADING AND BUlLDlNG MACHINE.

APPHCATION FILED SEPT. 16. I915.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

CLAY ALLEN,

Roan GRADING AND weenie.

Application filed September 16, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, CLAY ALLEN, citizen of the United States, residing at Blair'stown in the county, of Henry and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Road Grading and Building Machines, of which the following is a specification. reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to improvements in a road grading and building machine, particularly to that type of machine that carries the earth from the side of the road to the center to build up that portion of the road whereby the road is built up where necessary and perfect drainage afforded.

The invention has for its object the provision of a machine of the character described comprising a suitable wheeled truck carrying an endless conveyer driven by power means arranged on the truck, the endless conveyor being provided with a series of scraping members that pass transversely across the road to the center thereof, building up the center and automatically putting the material where it is needed to fill irregularities in the sides of the road.

A further object of the invention is to construct a machine w iich when in operation moves rearwardly, the scraping mechanism being carried by the rear portion of the machine and at all times cutting and leveling the road in admnce of t 1e wheeled truck so that the truck at all times remains on level ground eliminating the continual adjustment of the scraping mehanism due to the ordinary irregularities in the surface of the ground over which tlle'trilC-li of the usual construction passes. I

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a driving mechanism be tween the engine carried by the truck and the differential. gearing arranged on the truck axle and scraping mechanism whereby the machine is driven a predetermined dis tance in keeping with the travel of the scrapers so that the movement of the machine with reference to the transverse scrapers can be variedto allow the successful working of the apparatus on roads of different degrees of hardness, such for in.- stance as roads composed entirely of earth as well as roads containing gravel or the like, it being apparent that less cutting action is required and therefore a more rapid movement of the machine 1s permitted when or BLAInsrown,

Specification of Letters Patent.

'5 controlled by the BUILDING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. is, rare.

Serial No. 51,002.

the same is working on plain earth, than when gravel is acted upon which requires the slow movement of the machine and a vast amount of cutting.

Figure 1 isa top-planview. Y Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the scraping frame.

Figs. 3% are detail views.

Fig. 5 is a view of the conveyer Figs. 6-'? are views of the different parts of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings ,wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates the frame of the truck reduced in width at the front thereof and providedwith front and rear wheels 2 and 8 arranged on axles 2 and 3, the front axles being pivotally attached to. the frame to permit the steering of the machine and having guiding chains t attached near each end thereof, leading to the worm and cog steering gear steering wheel 6. This gear is of the ordinary construction and it will be readily seen that any suitable type of steering mechanism can be used. The frame is provided with a series of longitudinal and transverse reinforcing bars 7, fastened to each other and the frame by means of angle irons 7. the reinforcing bars alsoconstituting mountings for different elements of the machine to be later described. A pair of truss rods (3 are arranged on the frame of the machine on each side thereof near one end to assist in supporting the Jeight of the conveyor or frame attached to the rear of the truck.

Mounted on the forward part of the frame and supported by the longitudinal reinforcing bars is a power driven engine 8, a gas or oil engine, being pref rably used having a driving shaft 9 extending to the rear of the machine and upon which are loosely mounted the oppositely disposed beveled gears 10 and 10. held against movement in one direction by the collars 11 keyed to the s raft and rotatable therewith. The bevel gears 10 and 10 carry the dished clutches 12 and 12 into which the beveled clutch members 13 and 13 fit, these clutch members being spring pressed and independent of each other. The clutch members are fastened to the slidingcollars 14 and it having square openings therethrough fitting the shaft that is square in shape the entire distance between frame.

detail the beveled gear 10 and rled by a shaft 34,

10 so that the clutch members rotate with the shaft at all times, the collars 14 and 14 are slidably mountedon the shaft 9 to permit a movement thereof, and these collars receive suitable sleeves loosely mounted thereon in a manner'that is well known to those skilled in the art. 'The clutch 'members are operated independent of each other so that the machine is capable of a forward or reverse movement and are controlled b the bell crank levers l5 pivotally attached to a transverse member 15 arranged on one of the reinforcing bars of the machine and 0perated by the handles 16 extending to any suitable place within reach of the operator. When the machine is being transported from place to place the scrapers not being in operation, the clutch 13 is in engagement and coupled with the beveled gear 10 causing the rotation of this gear as well as the intermeshing gear wheel 17 mounted on a stub shaft 18 journaled in the frame, the stub shaft at its opposite end carrying a relatively small gear 20 meshing with the master cog wheel 21, which through the medium of the ordinary reduction gearing cooperating with the master cog wheel r0- tates the rear axles causing the machine to be propelled in a forward direction but in no Way affecting the movement of the scraper or levelers to be later described.

l' l hen the clutch 13 is coupled withthe beveled gear 10 the machine is placed in working condition, the wardly, the cog wheel 10 meshing with the bevel gear 22, on one end of the shaft 23 journaled on the frame, the shaft at its opposite end carrying a gear 24, meshing with the gear 25, which gear scraping frame 31 by which the endless conveyer carrying the driven. v

The opposite end of the stub shaft 26 upon which the sprocket wheel 27 is mounted carries a gear meshing with a gear 33 oarthe free end of the shaft 34 being provided with a worm gear 36 en gaging the periphery of the gear Wheel 36 arranged on the transverse shaft 37 which is scraping buckets is ]OUII1llGCl withinthe frame, causing the rotation of this shaft. The shaft 37 carries'a series of different sized gear wheels 38, slidably arranged thereon but adapted to turn with the shaft, these gear wheels cooperating with the different sized gear wheels 39 rigidly attachedto the shaft 40 mounted for rotation and at its outer end is provided with a gear wheel 41 meshing with the master cogwhee-l, 21 of the'reduction gear, that in turn rotates the axle."

same moving rearin turn causes the rotation of the sprocket wheel 27 over which 'of the spaced bars, so that it is The gears 38 slidably mounted on the shaft 37 are manipulated by means of the controlling member 38 which is arranged to be accessible to the operator. a

It will be readily seen that when the machine is in operation, at that time moving rearwardly, the chain driving the conveyer rotates at the same speed at all times according to the condition of the engine, while the movement or travel of the truck is governed by the gears 38 and 39, whereby the truck may be driven rapidly during the operation of the scrapers that transverse the road or vice versa.

Positioned on the rear the vertically extended each composed of a pair of spaced guide bars, one guide member being preferably arranged near each end of the frame and having a vertically extending screw threaded member 43 passing between the space bars, the lower portion of said shaft being swiveled in the stationary blocks 44 arranged at the end of each guide member, the opposite portion of the shaft being provided with an operating wheel 44. Slidably mounted on the guide members is the adjustable scraping frame 31 extending"transverselyof the frame 1 and considerably beyond; The scraping frame 31 at its inner portion (or of the frame 1 are guide members 42,

about two thirds thereof) being preferably straight, while the outer end (or one third) gradually inclines downwardly at an angle to the inner portion purpose of, cutting the side ditch on a different grade angle than that of the grade in the center of the road where the travel is eX- ,pected to be done, allowing scrapers #55 moving the dirt to release same automatically where needed to build a perfect grade, and then continue their travel around the frame ,--,t31 to a point of starting. The frame is'composed of two suita-blyconnected parallel strips 45 constituting tracks for the endless conveyer at their edges, and connecting parts 45; the connecting parts having pairs of axially alined apertures 46'therein for the passage of the tapered supporting bars 47'thatvpass between the members 42 and have threaded apertures therethrough for the passage of the threaded shank of the adjusting screw 43. At the end these supporting bars are provided with rollers 43 journaled thereto and bearing against the inner portion of the guide members, the inner plate 45 of the frame also of the frame, for thespaced guide 7 bear against and ride upon the opposite sides only necessary to rotate the threaded shaft to cause the scraping frame to be raised or lowered by means of the threaded shank portions of the guide members cooperating with the threaded apertures of the supporting bars, the rollers 43 and 46 riding against the 7 ing guide members and permitting the support ing frame to be antifrictionally raised or lowered. The parallel plates so with the remaining structure forming the frame pro vide one which is very light in weight, in that the me is preferably formed of strips and thcrerore oi an open-work construction, although any other suitable type of frame could be employed if desirable. The edges of the strips are rebent to form track portions e8 for thewheels o f the scrapers thereover, comprising flanged inepassing tallic wheels rotatably mount-co upon the axles of a width substantially greater than the distance between the tracks as, which axles are pivotally connected to the links and 56 forming the endless chain passi" the snrockct wheels 5'? and at opposite ends of the frame the being actuated by Q secured in position b nuts 50 u 3011 which is track (bl) composed ofa pair of a1. irons e endin th entire length of the lower portion of the frame and at least sub stantially one-third the length of the top of the frame around one end thereof to prevent the disengagement of the buckets from the tracks over which they travel when the buckets are in an inverted position, suitable means such antifrictional wheels 59 beconnected to the arllos (5%) carried by each bucket by the members (-30) riding up u the angle irons constituting the tracks therefor.

intermediate the ends of axles and COILQSPOHCllIlg in number to the number of scra ing buckets are the wheels 59 engaging the different portions of the track lllllllrEl 51 each pair of wheeis being connected together by a. connecting member 60 fastened to the axle 5i and moving with the conveyor. These \vheels 59 prevent any risin of the scraper on the track during the operation of the device hich ordinarily occurs when the scrapers the earth causing the chain to dis the sprocket wheels, the scrapers being preferably in the form of buckets rigidly held to the endless conveyor in the manner above describe l. The operating chains are arranged between the outer portion of each wheel and the sides of the buckets and attached to the axles The sides of the buckets at their outer por; tions each carry a cutting implement 61 of several of the a *urved formation, having its outer edge z;l'ra1"-*cncd the implement being disposed par llel with the sides of the bucket and adapted to engage and enter the earth aslight distance below the bucket bottom. The cutters have their sharpened portions vertically dis osed and are provided with extended curved shank portions 61 projecting around each bucket and the ends of the curved implements substantially overlie "the entrance to each bucket. She curved hank portions on their inner faces each carry rollers 62 ournaled thereon 1 suitable brackets and engage the track portion composed of metal arranged on the outside of the plate 45. lChe track extends entirely around the plate and constitutes a support for the cutting portion of each implement, due to the met that the same is engaged by the antifriction rollers 62 curved shank portions of the knives.

Having thus described the invention the operation is as follows:

ll heu it is desired to transport the machine from place to place, the cutters remaining inactive, the clutch members 10 and 18 are coupled causing the actuation of the truck wheels 3 through the medium of the driving mechanism above described, thus moving the supporting truck in a forward position. lVhen the machine is'placed in operation the clutch members 10 and 13 are coupled, clutches l0 and 13 being uncoupled, this through the medium of the beveled gears and transmission causing the truck to move rearwardly, at the same time imparting rotary action to the endless conveyor carrying the scraping buckets 55', that pass transversely across the road to the center thereof, it being apparent that the machine is propelled at a predetermined rate of speed by means of the transmission heretofore described, while the cutters are in operation. v

Having thus described the invention what 1 claim is: a

1. lnamachine of the class described, the combination of a supporting truck of a scraping frame mounted thereon having a track extending therearounch a series of scrapers movable over said scraping frame, a. cutting member carried by each of said scrapers and provided with a shank having a roller member disposed upon its inner side and in engagement with the track on the frame and means for operating said scrapers.

2. 111 a machine of the class described; the combination with a supporting, truck with a scraping frame mounted thereon having a track composed of sheet metal eX- tending therearound, a series of scrapers movable over said scraping frame, a cutting member carried by each of said scrapers and provided with a forwardly extending curved shank portion having a Wheel projecting carried by the ing the cutting implement from one side thereof and journaled within he area described by the borders of said shank portion and engaging the track on the frame, and means for operating said scrapers.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting truck of guiding members composed of spaced vertically extending standards arranged thereon, a scraping frame, scrapers movable over said frame, the said frame having support ing members passing between the spaced standards, rollers carried by said supporting members and engaging the spaced standards on one side, the scraping frai'ne being provided with a relatively wide roller journaled thereon, adapted to ride upon the opposite side of both of said standards, and means cooperating with the guiding frame and the supporting members for raising and lowering the scraping frame, and means for imparting motion to the scrapers.

LIn a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting truck, of a scraping frame carried thereby, an endless conveyer traversing said frame and provided with portions engaging the edges thereof, means for imparting motion to said conveyor, a member depending from each scraper, a track arranged within the frame and cooperating with said depending members carded by'the scrapers, the said track extending entirely across the lower portion ofthe frame and part way portion thereof, for the In a machine over the upper purpose described. of the class described,

the combination with a sun iorting truck of l to a a scraping frame attached thereto, an endless conveyertraversingsaid frame and provided with scrapers, wheels carried by said scrapers and engaging the edges of the frame, and an engaging member depending from each bucket having'a wheel attached a portion thereof contacting with the wheels on the engaging members depending from the scrapers, the said track extending entirely over the lower portion of the frame and a portion of the way over the top of the frame.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting truck, of a transverse frame thereon, a series of scrapers movable over said frame, a cutting implement carried by one of said scrapers and provided with an upwardly extending curved shank portion bearing on its inner face an antifriction member engaging the frame for rigidly supporting and maintainin position, and means for shifting the scrapers.

segues of y and this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by 1 Washington, D. (3."

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting truck, having a frame thereon, a continuous track ar-- ranged around said frame on one side thereof, a series of scrapers movable over the frame, cutting implements carried by said scrapers, each cutting implement being provided with an elongated shank, a roller bearing disposed on the inner face of said shank contacting with the track around the frame, and means for operating said scraper.-

8. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with a supporting truck, having a frame thereon, a continuous track arranged around said frame on one side thereof, a series of scrapers movable over the frame, cutting implements carried by said scrapers, each cutting implement being provided with an elongated curved shank having its end overlying the entrance to its scraper, a roller bearing disposed on the inner face of said shank and'contacting with the track extending around the frame, and means for operating said scraper.

9. In a road scraping machine, the combination with a supporting truck, of a frame carried thereby and extending beyond one side of the truck'and transversely of the road, said frame having aninclined portion at one end while the major portion thereof occupies a horizontal position, a series of scrapers movable over said frame for acting upon the road and transferring a portion of the material constituting the road from one side to the center thereof to elevate the center of the road, means for actuating said scraper.

10. In a road scraping machine, a supporting truck, a frame carried thereby and extending transversely of the road, said frame having a horizontal portion constituting the major part thereof and a portion inclining to the horizontal at one end, scraping devices movable over said frame, said scraping devices being adapted to transfer center thereof to elevate thesaine, and means for moving said scraping devices.

In a road-scraping machine, a supporting truck, a frame carried thereby and adapted to extend transversely of the road, road treating elements, movable over said frame, said frame having a horizontal portion constituting the major portion thereof and a portion inclined to the horizontal near one end for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. CLAY ALLEN Witnesses; f

F. M. CoNwELL, IV. R. Prrirrs.

addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 

